“I commend the stamina of Shep as he continues to wage the war against bureaucracy in trying to get things done right.

“Now, down here in Fairfield Township, we are battling a much different war.

“While you are trying to have the levees repaired to stop flooding and salt water invasion into fresh waterways and fields, we have an out-of-state environmental group (Evergreen Environmental from Pa.) that has purchased almost 150 acres in the Back Neck area of Fairfield Township.

“Their intent is to break the dam and levees and flood the land.

“Who knows how much will end up under water?

“They say that it will do no harm?

“Again, if they are flooding what was viable farm land with salt water, how can that not do harm?

“What about wells?

“And if it crosses Sea Breeze Road, one of their solutions is to close the road and cut a hole across it.

“Fairfield residents, especially Back Neck & Sea Breeze residents, better keep a close eye on what is going on in their area.

“Green Acres is buying up land down there and who knows what else will be going on?

“What is the state's Master Plan for Fairfield?’’

— Patrick W. Conahey Sr., RN

—

A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods"

The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

Hundreds of friends and family members of the late Christina Gladney Hemighaus gathered at the Toad Fish Bar & Grill on Saturday to begin raising money to fund a scholarship in the former Hopewell Crest teacher's memory.

The goal is to raise $25,000 to create a $1,000 a year scholarship for a local student who will attend Rowan University and major in elementary education.

The fundraising is an ongoing project and anyone who was not able to attend is encouraged to call Chrissy's mother, Debby Atkinson, at 609-381-4144 for further information.

If you would prefer to simply make a donation, please make a check to "Rowan University Fund," note "Chrissy Hemighaus Scholarship" on the comment line, and mail it to:

Atkinson

72 Atkinson Road

Bridgeton, NJ, 08302.

—

“Mr. Hummel,

“Could you please place an ad in the BEN column on Monday as a reminder of the "City of Bridgeton Fire Department 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb."

The event is a 110-story stair climb, in remembrance of the 343 firefighters from the Fire Department of New York, who died when the World Trade Centers collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001.

It’s Tuesday at the Bridgeton high-rise, 110 E. Commerce St.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. 8:30 or 8:45 a.m.

Then comes the opening ceremony.

Cost is $25 and includes a T-shirt.

Climbers begin at 9 a.m.

A closing ceremony will take place upon the completion of the final climber.

All are welcome to attend the event.

The general public can register and climb.

You do not have to be a firefighter.

People can attend, hang out and support the climbers. There will also be a DJ during the event.

All money raised and donated will go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the families of the 343 FDNY firefighters.

This is shaping up to be a great event for the City of Bridgeton!

Thank you.’’

— Anthony A. Brago,

firefighter

City of Bridgeton Fire Department

—

Probably the safest way to pay tribute is to do it in relay form as a group with your organization or co-workers.

—

MY KIND OF TOWN:Where Bridgeton Midget Football practiced on Saturday.